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Caribbean Forum on the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons Georgetown, Guyana June 19-20, 2019

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Caribbean Forum on the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons Georgetown, Guyana June 19-20, 2019 Caribbean Forum on the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons Georgetown, Guyana June 19-20, 2019 The Caribbean Forum on the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, co-hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Guyana and the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) took place on June 19-20, 2019 in Georgetown, Guyana. A total of 22 participants, representing 10 of the 14 Caribbean countries took part in the event - namely Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, St-Lucia, St Kitts and Nevis, St-Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago – as well as of the ICRC, the Guyana Red Cross Society, ICAN partner organizations working in the region and the ICAN Secretariat. Unable to participate in person, the Secretary General of OPANAL contributed to the Forum with a video message to the participants. Designated by their respective governments, participants were representing the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Defense, Justice, Police, thus bringing a wide range of expertise and perspectives to the discussions. The Forum started with an opening ceremony, attended by the media, during which the Foreign Secretary of Guyana, Mr. Carl B. Greenidge, gave a key note address. The Foreign Ministry of Guyana held a welcoming reception for the participants of the Forum, during which the Foreign Minister, Her Honorable Dr. Karen Cummings, made remarks. In a series of sessions, participants recalled the process that led to the adoption of the TPNW, with a particular focus on the risks and humanitarian and environmental impact of nuclear weapons. They discussed the importance of the TPNW as an historic achievement to which countries of the region contributed and a significant contribution to the nuclear disarmament regime by strictly prohibiting nuclear weapons and closing the legal gap that previously existed. The relevance of the TPNW for the region was emphasized, including the key role played by CARICOM Member States in the humanitarian initiative and negotiation of the TPNW, as well as the strong Caribbean support for the Treaty, with reference to their deep attachment to multilateralism and holistic approach to peace, disarmament and development. The TPNW’s synergy with the Treaty of Tlatelolco and its complementarity with other disarmament instruments were also discussed. The fact that the event took place under Chatham House rules allowed for questions and frank discussions on what some of the Treaty’s obligations mean in concrete terms for States Parties, including in relation to transit, victim assistance and environmental remediation, as well as terrorism and non-states actors. The importance of translating CARICOM’s principled position of support for the TPNW into action was stressed. Participants acknowledged the important role the region has to play by joining the Treaty and contribute to its early entry into force and universal adherence and expressed resolve to work towards that end. In this context, participants welcomed the opportunity to deepen cooperation and collaboration to that end, notably in terms of technical knowledge and expertise. They shared information on their respective process of signature and ratification and gave update of where it stands. ICAN, the ICRC and the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in the region made clear they stand ready to support this effort and several tools were presented. Participants agreed to stay in close touch in the lead-up to entry into force of the TPNW and beyond to continue to engage actively, including in all appropriate regional contexts. In particular, participants asked Guyana to put a call to sign and ratify the TPNW on the agenda of the upcoming CARICOM meeting. The need for a clear and coordinated regional strategy once the treaty comes into effect was also identified. Participants further expressed the need of remaining engaged including by having a follow-up meeting on these issues including negotiators and experts. The Forum ended with the adoption of the Georgetown statement. In partnership with and with the support of .
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